Kane County board OKs reduced raises

Several Kane County elected officials will get 3.5 percent raises for the next four years, under a plan approved Tuesday.

And the board chairman will get a $10,000 raise next year, with a 3.5 percent bump each of the next three years.

The Kane County Board approved the raises by a vote of 15-7 after more than two hours of discussion. The raises are for the chairman position as well as the county auditor, coroner, recorder and circuit clerk.

A citizens committee based its recommendation for board salaries on making the positions comparable to those in neighboring counties, which pay $10,000 to $17,000 more a year for the positions.

"We have an inequity in salaries," West Dundee Republican John Fahy said. "We can pass that inequity on to next time or we can fix it now."

Elected officials' salaries have to be set within 180 days before an election.

The raises are lower than recommendations by both the county's human services committee and the citizens ad-hoc committee. Previous plans were more front-loaded, some having officials getting up to a $20,000 raise next year.

John Hoscheit, a St. Charles Republican who proposed the plan that was adopted, said the board chairman position was largely underpaid. Supporters said because the board chairman also acts as the county administrator, it saves the county another employee with a six-figure salary.

"It's important, given the size of the budget, that we have a sophisticated businessperson in that position," he said. "They can save us millions in the long run, if they're a good candidate."

Although higher raises were given to other elected officials two years ago, those who voted against the plan said the county needed to consider the economy.

"That's still a 12 percent raise," said Barb Wojnicki, a Campton Hills Republican who voted against the plan. "I don't think that will sit well with people."

Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay was not at the meeting but has recused herself from previous discussions of the topic.